Ethereal | TRADLEY

CHAPTER 20: "Take me to paradise"

"TRIS!" Brad shouts, he looked up to his boyfriend and removed his head on the blonde's chest. "OH MY GOD TRIS THANK YOU GOD YOU'RE NOW AWAKE!!" the small boy added as he sniffs and wipes away the tears on his face. The brown eyed boy is still holding Tristan's hand, he leans his head on the blonde's forehead "W-what did you say Tris?" Brad asked sniffing. "I think I can't love you anymore..." he replied. The curly's orbs started to build up tears as he holds his boyfriend's hands. "I think I can't love you anymore Brad... Because if you're going to keep singing to me while I'm sleeping I would probably die because of your cuteness. You really have a beautiful voice baby" the blond replied as he reaches for Brad's head, leaning it closer to his. He plants a kiss on the curly's head. "Don't cry love, I was just kidding, I'm feeling better now!" Brad playfully slaps Tris' chest, he thought his boyfriend meant everything he just said. "That's great to hear love! Let me call the nurse okay?" Tristan was left alone inside the room while Brad went out to call the nurse. Unexpectedly the door opened, revealing a slim man dressed with a white lab gown holding a clipboard. "Mr. Evans, good evening, I'm your assigned Doctor, Dr. Samuels. I'm glad that you're now awake. How are you feeling?" the brunette Doctor with his eye glasses on greeted Tristan. "I'm fine Doc... How long have I've been asleep? Well my head and my cuts still hurt but I think my joint pain and fever are gone" Tris happily replied. The door opened again, Tris' mum arrived. She hurriedly went besides her son, hugging Tris' broad shoulders and kissing his head. "SON! OH MY GOD THANK YOU YOU'RE AWAKE HONEY!" Ms. Evans exclaimed shedding a tear. Dr. Samuels stood besides Tris' bed near the door, smiling at the sight of the two. "Tristan... Ms. Evans, I'm really happy that your son is now awake but we have more serious matter to discuss. Good thing you arrived here ma'am." Dr. Samuels said in a deep and serious voice. The blonde's brows furrowed "Sure... W-what is is Doc?"

"My good friend, Dr. Clifford told me about the odd rashes on your cheeks Tristan. I've talked to your mum earlier about your medical histories. Brad also told me that you were having fever, joint and chest pains lately. We ran blood tests on you Tristan, besides x-rays and other tests. I have your lab results and I'm sorry to tell you despite the holidays but... You have Systemic lupus erythematosus. Lupus is a diease that eats your immune system. It is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. It can affect the skin, joints, kidneys, brain, and other organs" Dr. Samuel briefly explains. Ms. Evans gasps and holds her son's shoulders tightly as Tris' face instanly dropped. He stares into the atmosphere.

"This explains why you have frequent fever, swelled joints, chest pains and your butterfly shaped rashes. Other symptoms includes fatigue, malaise, hair loss and even sensitivity to sunlight" Dr. Cliffor explains further. Tristan holds his mum's hand tightly. He continues to stare into the blank white room as he holds back his tears. "No...no Doc... T-this is crazy... I'm fine. I feel good to be honest" Tristan smilingly said as tears fill up his deep blue eyes.

"Lupus is a traitor disease. It betrays your immune system. The symptoms of lupus are stagnant at first but eventually it will show up and slowly eat up your system"

Dr. Samuels replied, giving Tristan the sympathy look. "W-will I be cured Doc? I can be cured right? I-I need to be well for Brad, my boyfriend. H-he needs me" The blonde asks as tears cascade through his eyes. He can't help it, the words that came out of Dr. Samuels' mouth could already kill him.

"I'm sorry Tristan but there is no cure for Systemic lupus erythematosus. Lupus can attack your system without you knowing it. It can attack the heart, lungs, kidneys, the brain and other organs. We can never know because it just attacks in any circumstances"